Hours after Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced plans for an uber luxury full service domestic airline, Jet Airways decided to scrap its low cost or budget brand of JetKonnect. The Naresh Goyal-founded airline will now be an all full service carrier, shifting the war of Indian skies from the battlefield of budget flying to luxury travel aimed at the upper end of the society.

While at the time of filing this article, Jet was announcing its plans for its all full service avatar, a senior official said: "Now there will only be a single brand Jet. The aircraft operated by the airline operating permit of JetLite (erstwhile Air Sahara) that till now flew as LCC JetKonnect will also fly as full service jet.

"We as an airline confused customers (with multiple brands) ... The main aim in the tie-up will be to increase market share," Jet Chairman Naresh Goyal said at a press event after the release of the company's first-quarter results.

Jet's low-cost carrier JetLite, which operates 11 aircraft, will now bear the main airline's branding, Goyal said, without elaborating on whether the changes would result in job losses or alterations to the size of the fleet.

The company's aircraft will now be split between economy and business class seats but the airline's pricing will remain competitive despite the scrapping of the low-cost carrier, said James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways, which owns a 24 percent stake in Jet.

I can't tell you the # of business/ FFP travelers who will be delighted with 9W turning to FSC. Of course now 9W will have to keep fares higher than the LCCs, and that will put pressure on loads. Will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Of course - 9W switched to LCC/ hybrid model when it saw competition in that direction. Now that it sees it has a new "FSC" competitor, it jumps back to FSC. Consistency is not 9W's forte!_________________We miss you Nalini!

I can't tell you the # of business/ FFP travelers who will be delighted with 9W turning to FSC. Of course now 9W will have to keep fares higher than the LCCs, and that will put pressure on loads. Will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Of course - 9W switched to LCC/ hybrid model when it saw competition in that direction. Now that it sees it has a new "FSC" competitor, it jumps back to FSC. Consistency is not 9W's forte!

I can't tell you the # of business/ FFP travelers who will be delighted with 9W turning to FSC. Of course now 9W will have to keep fares higher than the LCCs, and that will put pressure on loads. Will be interesting to see how it all pans out.

Of course - 9W switched to LCC/ hybrid model when it saw competition in that direction. Now that it sees it has a new "FSC" competitor, it jumps back to FSC. Consistency is not 9W's forte!

So if I understand the following article correctly, JetKonnect will cease to exist, but Jet Airways and JetLite will continue as two separate carriers. And the "single brand" means Jet Airways, as JetLite is a separate brand ?

So if I understand the following article correctly, JetKonnect will cease to exist, but Jet Airways and JetLite will continue as two separate carriers. And the "single brand" means Jet Airways, as JetLite is a separate brand ?

So if I understand the following article correctly, JetKonnect will cease to exist, but Jet Airways and JetLite will continue as two separate carriers. And the "single brand" means Jet Airways, as JetLite is a separate brand ?

That's exactly what I thought, that the present JetKonnect was the old JetLite, and that was now on it's way out as well. But a lot of articles are still using "JetKonnect" and "JetLite" interchangeably. Totally confused now !!

That's exactly what I thought, that the present JetKonnect was the old JetLite, and that was now on it's way out as well. But a lot of articles are still using "JetKonnect" and "JetLite" interchangeably. Totally confused now !!

I think that article has made a mistake in reporting. Other news links have mentioned it clearly-

As part of the strategy, the airline will phase out its low-cost carrier JetKonnect (company’s name is JetLite) and focus on full-service airline

JetLite, which operates 11 aircraft, will now bear the main airline's branding, Goyal said, without elaborating on whether the changes would result in job losses and fleet resizing. Jet’s aircraft will be split between economy and business class seats by keeping ticket fares competitive,

I don't understand why they had JetKonnect in the first place. They had to have Jet lite for legal reasons or if they want sell Jet Lite as a separate unit, they can do it more easily.

They need to get rid of Jet Konnect. But how will the full service carrier (which will continue to serve complimentary snacks/meals) compete with LCCs - they will be losing money. In fact I am wondering the same about AI and Tata/Vistara also, none of them can make money in this very competitive domestic market either.

Jet Airways master brand will cover the whole fleet including services currently operated by JetLite. JetLite currently operates a fleet of 11 aircraft under the JetKonnect brand deployed across Jet Airways’ domestic network which includes more than 50 cities. These aircraft will be progressively repainted in the Jet Airways livery over the coming months

I don't understand why they had JetKonnect in the first place. They had to have Jet lite for legal reasons or if they want sell Jet Lite as a separate unit, they can do it more easily.

They need to get rid of Jet Konnect. But how will the full service carrier (which will continue to serve complimentary snacks/meals) compete with LCCs - they will be losing money. In fact I am wondering the same about AI and Tata/Vistara also, none of them can make money in this very competitive domestic market either.

This.

Just call the whole thing Jet Airways but make the domestic meals BoB. That should do it, and if passengers don't like it - well at least they won't go under unlike the competition sooner or later.

What else is the difference between the two besides the catering?_________________Yeah.

This seems like the pinnacle of Jet's wodehousean comedies - their plans to disband additional brands and consolidate to one brand to remove confusion - itself is quite confusing _________________We miss you Nalini!

I am pleased to update you with some good news with regards to the domestic product and service across our network.

As you are aware Jet Airways had two products serving its domestic network namely; Jet Airways which is a Full service product and Jet Konnect, a no frills model. Market research indicated that consumers needed clarity on our product offering and the two product strategy was causing confusion.

Considering the market requirements, we have decided to implement a business model with a single master brand offering across our domestic network covering Jet Airways and its subsidiary Jet Konnect to revitalise our product and service. We will achieve this by harnessing our proud heritage and original values in one consistent, predictable and clearly recognisable brand.

Over the coming months, you will see Jet Airways as a single brand reflected across our entire business, in the aircraft livery, staff uniforms, cabin interiors, product and service offering and our frequent flyer programme JetPrivilege. The Jet Airways master brand will cover the whole fleet and all our aircraft will be progressively repainted in the Jet Airways livery over the coming months.

Key highlights of our offering will include:

• A full service Premiere product will be implemented across all operations to ensure a premium experience
on the ground and in the air.

• Domestic Economy Class members will be provided a meal service offering value with competitive fares.

• JetPrivilege which has recently announced an enhanced accrual and redemption structure, will provide
more benefits and privileges for our frequent flyers. In addition to the minimum 500 JPMiles per flight,
members will also gain tier and recognition benefits and be able to redeem JPMiles on flights operated by
Jet Airways and Etihad Airways.

In conclusion, we hope that these changes demonstrate our commitment to provide an exceptional experience and look forward to your continued support.

Warm Regards,

Belson Coutinho
Vice President - Marketing, eCommerce & Innovations

_________________Causal Determinism : We are hardwired to need answers. The Caveman who heard a rustle in the bushes and checked out to see what it was, lived longer than the guy, who assumed it was just a breeze.

I am pleased to update you with some good news with regards to the domestic product and service across our network.

As you are aware Jet Airways had two products serving its domestic network namely; Jet Airways which is a Full service product and Jet Konnect, a no frills model. Market research indicated that consumers needed clarity on our product offering and the two product strategy was causing confusion.

Considering the market requirements, we have decided to implement a business model with a single master brand offering across our domestic network covering Jet Airways and its subsidiary Jet Konnect to revitalise our product and service. We will achieve this by harnessing our proud heritage and original values in one consistent, predictable and clearly recognisable brand.

Over the coming months, you will see Jet Airways as a single brand reflected across our entire business, in the aircraft livery, staff uniforms, cabin interiors, product and service offering and our frequent flyer programme JetPrivilege. The Jet Airways master brand will cover the whole fleet and all our aircraft will be progressively repainted in the Jet Airways livery over the coming months.

Key highlights of our offering will include:

• A full service Premiere product will be implemented across all operations to ensure a premium experience
on the ground and in the air.

• Domestic Economy Class members will be provided a meal service offering value with competitive fares.

• JetPrivilege which has recently announced an enhanced accrual and redemption structure, will provide
more benefits and privileges for our frequent flyers. In addition to the minimum 500 JPMiles per flight,
members will also gain tier and recognition benefits and be able to redeem JPMiles on flights operated by
Jet Airways and Etihad Airways.

In conclusion, we hope that these changes demonstrate our commitment to provide an exceptional experience and look forward to your continued support.

Warm Regards,

Belson Coutinho
Vice President - Marketing, eCommerce & Innovations

All of this sounds sensible and a move back to the days when you could count on a good on-board experience with 9W.

They need to exploit the FF program to ensure customers dont defect to another airline to save a couple of hundred bucks. Aspirational redemption for international travel has to be the carrot, this is something Indigo simply cannot offer.

Why couldnt Jet Airways continue with the LCC Jetlite, why was it confusing consumers? one full service one no-frills, maybe they could have renamed it Flylite to lessen the confusion, changed logo too, the Jetkonnect idea is what seems out of place.

Yes thats what I have been told Jetlite is the actual company using the marketing name JetKonnect.

Jet Airways will roll out a single full-service product from next Monday and stop its no frills, Konnect, offering with a view to ramp up occupancy and increase yields.

The airline had launched Konnect service in 2009 to complement its full service offering and now Konnect makes up to 60% of its domestic inventory.

The airline is also launching a "Guest First" programme to enhance passenger experience on ground and on board the aircraft and is training its ground staff and cabin crew on new service procedures. Changes are being made to inflight menu and minor spruce up is being done to cabins.

The airline hopes that a single uniform service will help attract corporate travellers and arrest slide in market share and loads. It reported a market share of 20.5% in October which fell from 25.2% in January.

The airline did not respond to an email query on the topic.

But the changes have costs attached to it. The airline will offer meals or snacks on all its flights so the inflight catering cost will go up. Similarly sales and distribution cost too will rise.

Jet Airways Konnect brand was being offered on both Jet Airways and JetLite aircraft. The airline did not pay agents a commission for Konnect flights operated with JetLite aircraft. Now this is changing and agents will be paid commission on all flights, a source said.

"The increase in cost will be marginal. It will be in small single digits. However the transition will have advantages of us. We will have a consistent product and there will be no brand confusion ,'' the source added.

The airline will also have to hire cabin crew partly due to increased crew requirements on full service flights and to cover up for attrition. Also the airline has deputed a large number of its cabin crew to Etihad on six month deputation reducing the staff available for duty.

Further to our communication in August, I am pleased now to advise you of our move to being a full-service one brand, Jet Airways starting December 1st 2014.

Jet Airways will deliver a seamless, consistent, and high-quality journey across all domestic flights. What's more, our two-class full-service product will now offer a complimentary meal on-board, even in economy - on all flights. Importantly all these enhancements will be offered at competitive fares.

Come December 1st, our teams are now geared to deliver these enhanced service levels across all our flights.

We sincerely hope that our JetPrivilege members will enjoy this contemporary new full-service product delivered in our inimitable style with the warmth and graciousness of Indian hospitality.

We hope that the move to a full-service one brand offering demonstrates our commitment to continually enhance our service and we look forward to your continued support.

Not quite so seamless yet. Went to pick up the old man at BOM, arriving from Goa on 9W 7028 (also known as S2 4376, for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure - boarding passes were apparently issued for both flight numbers). Went to Jet's website to check flight status - entered the flight number and a popup appeared that since this was a Konnect flight, I would be redirected to the Konnect website, from where I should check the flight's status.

Clicked OK, only to be redirected to a landing page on the Konnect website where two Jetkids smirked next to a banner saying that JetKonnect was now Jet Airways again, and so I would be redirected to the Jet Airways website - and voilà! Back to Jet's homepage The perfect circle is complete!

Not quite so seamless yet. Went to pick up the old man at BOM, arriving from Goa on 9W 7028 (also known as S2 4376, for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure - boarding passes were apparently issued for both flight numbers). Went to Jet's website to check flight status - entered the flight number and a popup appeared that since this was a Konnect flight, I would be redirected to the Konnect website, from where I should check the flight's status.

Clicked OK, only to be redirected to a landing page on the Konnect website where two Jetkids smirked next to a banner saying that JetKonnect was now Jet Airways again, and so I would be redirected to the Jet Airways website - and voilà! Back to Jet's homepage The perfect circle is complete!

This reminded me of what happens when you try to get work done at a Bharat Sarkar office. Or in this case Lala Sarkar

Not quite so seamless yet. Went to pick up the old man at BOM, arriving from Goa on 9W 7028 (also known as S2 4376, for reasons of which I'm not entirely sure - boarding passes were apparently issued for both flight numbers). Went to Jet's website to check flight status - entered the flight number and a popup appeared that since this was a Konnect flight, I would be redirected to the Konnect website, from where I should check the flight's status.

Clicked OK, only to be redirected to a landing page on the Konnect website where two Jetkids smirked next to a banner saying that JetKonnect was now Jet Airways again, and so I would be redirected to the Jet Airways website - and voilà! Back to Jet's homepage The perfect circle is complete!

It is Jasepl's JetZo at work. They don't know if they are Jet Airways or Jet Konnect now.

Hilarious!_________________I don't know which is the more pampered bunch : AI's widebodies (the aunties) or Jet's widebodies (the planes).
-Jasepl

Jet Airways might soon merge with JetLite and it might be sooner than you think with the company's intentions to fast track talks with shareholders.
Jet Airways' board had approved the merger of the low-cost subsidiary JetLite with the airline in September.

According to a regulatory filing on Monday, Jet Airways said it will seek the nod of "equity shareholders, secured creditors and unsecured creditors" for the proposed merger on April 22.

The meet is being convened following an order from Bombay High Court on March 18 asking the airline to convene a meeting of equity shareholders on April 22 to consider the proposed merger.

In this regard, Jet Airways had sought directions from the high court.

According to Jet Airways, the merger would lead to greater efficiency in cash management of the merged entity and "unfettered access to cash flow generated by the combined business which can be deployed more efficiently to maximise shareholder value".

"Jet Airways has made demonstrable progress in the implementation of its three-year turnaround strategy with the objective of returning to profitability.

"The merger of JetLite into Jet Airways is a key step to strengthen Jet Airways' operations and create a seamless organisation, delivering exceptional service to its guests," Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal had said in September last.

Jet Airways had bought Sahara Airlines in April 2007, for Rs. 1,450 crore after an arbitration award. It later renamed Sahara Airlines as JetLite and operated it as a low-cost arm till November.

Currently, Jet Airways and JetLite operate under two different Air Operator Permit (AOP).

Jet Airways today said it has received shareholders’ approval for the proposed merger of JetLite with itself.

The board of Jet Airways had cleared the proposal to merge JetLite, the low-cost subsidiary with itself, in September last year.

“… the equity shareholders of the company have approved the scheme of merger between JetLite (India) Ltd and Jet Airways (India) Ltd and their respective shareholders and creditors,” Jet Airways said in a filing to the BSE.

Jet Airways Ltd wants to keep alive subsidiary JetLite’s licence even if the latter’s operations are merged with Jet—a move that analysts interpret as promoter Naresh Goyal retaining an option to start another airline if it comes to that.

The civil aviation ministry is baffled by the request, according to two people aware of the situation.

When two airlines merge the assets are transferred to one licence and the other licence lapses.

Jet’s plan is to make JetLite a division in itself, but it wants the JetLite licence to remain.

“We are not sure what to do with it,” said a government official referring t\o the request from Jet. “There are historic precedents in mergers which are being pulled out. We will take a decision after this review,” added this person who asked not to be identified.

Jet confirmed the move but did not say what it would do with an extra licence, albeit one kept in abeyance. The Air Operator’s Permit Package or AOP would “provide Jet Airways flexibility in network planning and operations, and enable us to address emerging trends in the aviation industry,” a Jet spokesperson said in an e-mail.

Jet Airways (India) announced that the Hon'ble High Court of Judicature at Bombay has on 20 October 2016, approved the Scheme of Merger of Jet Lite (India) with Jet Airways (India) and their respective shareholders and creditors ('Scheme'), pursuant to the petition filed by the Company.

The Company will now, in accordance with the Scheme and applicable regulations, proceed to seek required approvals._________________

Hours after Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced plans for an uber luxury full service domestic airline, Jet Airways decided to scrap its low cost or budget brand of JetKonnect. The Naresh Goyal-founded airline will now be an all full service carrier, shifting the war of Indian skies from the battlefield of budget flying to luxury travel aimed at the upper end of the society.

While at the time of filing this article, Jet was announcing its plans for its all full service avatar, a senior official said: "Now there will only be a single brand Jet. The aircraft operated by the airline operating permit of JetLite (erstwhile Air Sahara) that till now flew as LCC JetKonnect will also fly as full service jet.

I cant sya anything, I dont even knonw if its a good thing or a bad thing